WEAC Fox Valley Technical College Education Support Professionals President Gary Brilowski took time to discuss the important work of technical college ESPs and faculty with WEAC Secretary-Treasurer Arlene Braden. “I’m blown away by the magnitude of programming and skill level of the Educational Support Professionals and faculty in the tech college setting,” Braden said. “The way the faculty and ESP units work together is a good example for locals across Wisconsin.”

The federal education law known as ESSA spells out several opportunities for ParaEducators to receive quality professional development, writes Lynn Goss, a ParaEducator in the St. Croix Central School District and a member of the National Education Association Board of Directors. It’s important that all ParaEducators make sure their school districts make these professional development opportunities available and then take full advantage of them. “Join me as I continue to advocate for targeted and ongoing professional development that all ParaEducators need and deserve,” she writes.

WEAC member Sequanna Taylor, from Milwaukee, has been elected to an Education Support Professional At-Large seat on the National Education Association Board. Sequanna, who is president of the Milwaukee Educational Assistants’ Association and sits on the Executive Board of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, was elected by an overwhelming vote of delegates to the NEA Convention in Boston. The Convention concluded over the weekend.

Wisconsin had a very impressive contingent this weekend at the NEA Education Support Professionals (ESP) Conference in Dallas. The NEA ESP conference is the premier professional development opportunity for Education Support Professionals across the nation.

WEAC is launching a major effort this year to raise awareness about the value of Education Support Professionals in Wisconsin public schools. The multi-year campaign is designed to demonstrate appreciation for the critical role ESP play in schools, and to support them in developing their skills, with the ultimate goal of further helping children succeed.

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Wisconsin High School Teacher of the Year – and WEAC Region 7 member – Sarahí Monterrey joined dozens of other state teachers of the year and hundreds of NEA members last weekend for the “Teach-In for Freedom,” an all-day event organized by Teachers Against Child Detention (TACD) to protest the inhumane detention of children at the Mexican border and the criminalization of immigrant families. “The Teach-In in El Paso was a powerful experience because teachers were united to be a voice for the over 10,000 children who are in detention centers across our country,” Monterrey told weac.org. “This was not a protest but rather an opportunity to educate the public about immigration policies and the effects of these policies on children.”

The GOP tax bill has made its way to Governor Tony Evers’ desk, but is drawing opposition from the governor and others. Also, Governor Evers this week unveiled a plan for $70 million in clean water initiatives and another plan to ensure access to dental health care. It’s expected that we’ll hear more about his health care plans next week, and other bits and pieces of the budget he’ll hint to leading up to the budget unveiling on February 28. You can expect the budget rollout to last a few weeks into March – so stay tuned for opportunities to turn out to support public school funding as the governor makes the rounds across Wisconsin. We’ll likely also see some more listening sessions, in addition to the Joint Finance Committee hearings.

The D.C. Everest Teachers’ Association has shaken up the status quo and is focusing on a new set of “clear directions and goals.” That’s what DCETA leaders told WEAC Vice President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen for her latest Spotlight on Locals column. “We ask our colleagues to become a part of something,” said DCETA President Marie Wardall. “We show our members and our potential members our list of accomplishments, and we demonstrate why union membership matters to them.”

Waupun fifth-grade teacher Kathy Calder, a WEAC Region 5 member, believes business education should not be reserved just for older students. “An introduction to entrepreneurship at a young age will help students understand how to start a business and possibly spark an interest in future business ownership,” she says in an article in the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen and WISC News.

The Watertown School District is recognizing WEAC members Pam and Tim Suski for their work with the “Discipline with Dignity” program that has demonstrated success through compassion and high expectations. “We want to provide positive support and high expectations for both academics and behavior,” the Suskis say. “Through this program we show that we believe in them and expect excellent behavior — because they are capable of it.”

Congratulations to Shorewood teacher Angela Hayes, the latest winner of our WEAC Badger Red for Public Ed promotion! The honor goes to WEAC members in appreciation for their dedication to students. Recipients are treated to a UW Badger athletic event. Angela will get VIP treatment at the February 18 UW Badger basketball game against Illinois at the Kohl Center in Madison.